Education News: October 16, 2009

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending October 16, 2009.

Study Shows Improvements Amongst Students Who Were Held Back
(New York Times, October 15, 2009)  Under New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s student-promotion policy, students with low scores on New York State exams are required to repeat the year. To investigate the program’s success the RAND Corporation monitored fifth graders, who had been held back, over a four year period. By comparing the groups success to the scores of fifth graders before the policy went into effect, the $3.3 million study has yielded positive results. Evidence has shown that the students who were held back demonstrated vast improvements in subsequent years. Critics of the policy have voiced concerns in regards to the damage that repeating a year may have on the students’ psychological well being. However Schools Chancellor, Joel I. Klein views the study as concrete evidence of the policy’s success.

Federal Grant money for Education Purposes Only
(USA Today, October 14, 2009)  With billions of federal funds allocated to the improvement of schools, nine states have already adapted legislation in order to improve their eligibility for funding. Such changes have been made as a mode of preemptive preparation, for money applications are not yet available. With so much juggling amongst law-makers Education Secretary Arne Duncan has re-emphasized the point that the fund’s purpose is to help America’s students improve. Duncan notes that while he finds the desire for states to improve their schools encouraging, states still must prove themselves rather than make empty promises. Duncan voiced the concern that many are chasing the money for the wrong reasons, and that the Obama administration seeks to ensure that the federal funds are allocated to those who are willing to back up their talk.

California Governor’s Bill Aids State’s Eligibility for Federal Funding
(Los Angeles Times Post, October 14, 2009) On Tuesday, California Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill that barred the use of test data as a means to evaluate teachers. The ban will allow California to apply for the $4.35 billion that had been appropriated by the government for educational funding. In order to qualify for the federal funds the Obama administration has set forth requirements that ask states to lift any “firewalls” that connect student achievement to teachers’ promotions or pay. Because the distribution of the funds is based on a competitive system, Schwarzenegger has emphasized that the bill does not guarantee funding but rather increases eligibility. The governor continues to stress the importance of modifying other state legislation in order to improve the state’s qualifications.

Are New York State Exams Too Easy?
(New York Times, October 14, 2009) Recent test scores show that New York State’s fourth and eighth grade students have made only limited progress on the year’s federal math examinations. The disappointing numbers challenged results of the state-administered tests which have shown remarkable improvements. The state exams have shown a fifty-nine percent increase from two years ago in students who met learning standards. However federal tests only showed a four percent increase in proficient students, with fourth graders actually performing worse than previous years. The contradictory exam results have prompted criticisms accusing the state of designing exams that are too easy. Such criticisms have not gone unnoticed by New York’s Education Department which promises to increase standards in subsequent years. The results come at a critical time, and may have an effect on the upcoming New York City mayoral election. The Incumbent Michael Bloomberg has emphasized his success in the city’s public schools, including testing results. Although the New York City federal exam data has yet to be released, the city’s scores have been reflective of the states scores in past years.

Uproar Causes Change in District’s Code of Conduct Policy
(New York Times, October 13, 2009)  School officials in Newark, Delaware, have elected to modify the district’s zero-tolerance policy in order to excuse younger students from some of its harsher punishments. The revisions were made in response to an uproar amongst parents who had been provoked by the suspension of elementary student Zachary Christie. Under the current policy of the Christina School District, officials say that they were required to act when the six year old brought a camping cooking utensil to school. The cooking utensil was considered to be dangerous for it included a small knife. Along with the suspension, Zachary’s actions prompted his enrollment in an alternative school for the district’s troubled youth. The punishment was met with livid reactions from parents questioning the district’s harsh actions which neglected the student’s age or intentions.

Principle Revitalizes Struggling Rural School
(USA Today, October 14, 2009)  In past years Tohatchi Elementary School has had some of the worst test scores in New Mexico. The schools impoverished community and language demographics, which include 80% English language learners, have certainly not aided in the improvement of the schools test results. Such was the case until the introduction of the new principal George Bickert four years ago. Bickert began to change the culture by presenting academics as exciting and competitive. He first started by learning all his students’ names, and followed with a friendly attitude including a multitude of smiles and high fives. Bickert began to offer small incentives for student success, for example those who scored perfectly on the school’s weekly tests had their names read during morning announcements. The tests were also used as a way to monitor student progress on a weekly basis. These motivational skills along with increased parent and teacher correspondence resulted in astounding improvements. State tests have shown a shift from 15% to about 78 % proficiency in math and a jump from 28% to nearly 71% proficiency in reading. Bickert credits the teachers and community for the school’s success which bought into the rebuilding of Tohatchi Elementary as an institution of excellence.

California Math Scores a Conundrum
(San Francisco Chronicle, October 14, 2009) California’s federal math scores have been released with disappointing results. According to the 2009 Nation’s Report Card the country’s most populated state placed third to last ahead of only Mississippi and Alabama. The state’s diversity, which includes a large population of English language learners, has often been credited for its disappointing standing. However in spite of the low results California’s math scores have improved over the years. The scenario has proved to be a problem for California education officials, who struggle to praise the marginal improvements in the face of such a low national ranking.